Feds charge Derby man with fake-ID DVD/Blu-ray movie scam

A Derby man is facing multiple federal charges on allegations he used numerous false identities to get discount DVD and Blu-ray movies that he sold on eBay and Amazon.

Harvey C. Self, 45, has been indicted on nine counts of mail fraud, one count of money laundering and two counts of tax fraud, according to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom’s office.

The indictment alleges that Self created false identities to get multiple memberships in the Disney Movie Club and Columbia House DVD Club; and then purchased movies at club-discounted prices to sell online for a profit, according to a statement issued Wednesday.

Investigators seized more than 2,800 DVD and Blu-ray discs in a search of Self’s home, the statement said.

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If convicted, Self could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count of mail fraud; 20 years and $500,000 for the single count of money laundering and three years and $100,000 on each tax-fraud count.